The Big Dish event, which will serve as the Hospitality Management Program's fundraiser for initiatives, a networking event for seniors and a showcase of the program, will be a replacement of the former Rising Stars event. In the endeavor to create a thriving annual event, it is important to address the question, "What will it take to make a fundraising event like The Big Dish successful?" The success will be based largely on the quantitative and qualitative measures derived from the events goals. All information has been compiled with the overarching goal of beginning a handbook for The Big Dish planning committee and turning the committee into a semester course designed specifically for talented students wishing to pursue a career in event planning.